Murata has introduced a new bulk case packaging format for ultra‑small multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) that dramatically reduces packaging material while increasing packing density in SMT production.
The Murata concept targets both environmental impact and factory productivity, especially for high‑volume lines using 01005‑inch and 0201‑inch MLCC ceramic capacitors.
Key features and benefits
Bulk case concept
- New dedicated case that holds loose MLCCs which are then fed to the placement machine via a bulk feeder instead of conventional tape‑and‑reel.
- Specifically released for ultra‑small MLCC sizes 01005‑inch (0.4 mm × 0.2 mm) and 0201‑inch (0.6 mm × 0.3 mm).
- Designed as an additional packaging option alongside traditional taping, not a full replacement.
Environmental and logistics benefits
- Up to approximately 99% reduction in packaging material weight compared to Murata’s conventional taping when packing 10,000 pieces of 0201‑inch MLCCs.
- Significant decrease in plastic and paper consumption, helping OEMs and EMS providers address internal sustainability targets and regulatory pressure.
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions associated with manufacturing, transporting, and disposing of reels and other packaging materials.
- Lower exposure to waste‑related compliance costs such as disposal taxes, incineration fees, and potential carbon‑linked charges.
Factory productivity and handling
- For 01005‑inch MLCCs, each bulk case can hold 500,000 components versus 20,000 components per tape reel, consolidating the equivalent of 25 reels into one case.
- For 0201‑inch MLCCs, each bulk case holds 150,000 components, approximately 10 times the capacity of conventional packaging.
- Fewer changeovers and material replenishments on high‑speed lines, which can reduce downtime and operator workload.
- Reduced storage volume for the same component count, simplifying warehousing and material handling.
- Fewer internal transport operations within the plant thanks to higher packing density.
Typical applications
The bulk case packaging does not change the electrical characteristics or qualification status of the MLCCs themselves; it changes how they are supplied to manufacturing. Relevant use cases are driven by volume, size, and automation level.
Where this packaging is most attractive
- High‑volume consumer electronics production using 01005 and 0201 capacitors (smartphones, wearables, tablets, compact IoT nodes).
- Dense automotive ECUs and ADAS modules where ultra‑small MLCCs are used to save PCB area and weight, and where large reels of tiny parts complicate logistics.
- Network and telecom equipment with very high MLCC counts per board where feeding stability and replenishment frequency are critical.
- Industrial and medical electronics with stringent sustainability targets, where a quantifiable reduction in packaging waste supports ESG reporting.
When to consider staying with tape‑and‑reel
- Low‑ to medium‑volume builds where the complexity of adding bulk feeders may not be justified.
- Lines without access to bulk‑compatible feeders or where SMT platforms are locked to tape‑and‑reel only.
- Product series and processes where Murata indicates that bulk case is not yet qualified or released for mass use; this must be confirmed series by series.
Technical highlights
Supported MLCC sizes and capacities
| MLCC case size | Approx. metric size (mm) | Units per bulk case | Relative to tape‑and‑reel capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01005‑inch | 0.4 × 0.2 | 500,000 | ~25× a 20,000‑piece reel |
| 0201‑inch | 0.6 × 0.3 | 150,000 | ~10× typical reel capacity |
- Packaging is currently released only for selected Murata MLCC series in the above sizes; suitability depends on series, detailed specs, and production process.
- Component unit pricing remains unchanged compared to the same parts in conventional packaging, simplifying cost comparison.
Standardization and interoperability
- The bulk case format is part of a broader industry effort under the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA) to define standards for ultra‑small SMD bulk packaging.
- The specification has been published as IEC TS 60286‑6‑1, providing an international technical reference for mechanical dimensions and interface conditions.
- Murata intends to offer a royalty‑free license for the standardized specifications, encouraging broader ecosystem support among feeder and equipment vendors.
Equipment ecosystem
- Use of the bulk case requires a bulk‑case‑compatible feeder on the surface‑mount line.
- The feeder is responsible for singulating and orienting individual MLCCs from the case and delivering them to the pick‑up position with sufficient stability for high‑speed placement.
- Murata explicitly advises contacting mounting equipment manufacturers for details on feeder availability, interface options, and performance data.
Source
This article is based on information provided in a Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. press release describing the introduction of a bulk case packaging format for ultra‑small MLCCs and related standardization activities, supplemented by the manufacturer’s publicly available corporate information and standards references.